THE SECRETARY of State for Wales had some positive messages when he visited Flintshire on Friday.

THE SECRETARY of State for Wales had some positive messages when he visited Flintshire on Friday.

Peter Hain MP, who is also Leader of the House of Commons and Lord Privy Seal, spoke at a county council dinner and said he wanted to focus on building a world-class Wales through world-class management of the economy. He said it was possible 'if we aim high and think big'.

He said Wales could not compete by being a cheap labour economy, but by being the best, at the value-added end of the market.

He added that Wales was in a strong position to weather stormy economic times ahead.

Mr Hain also toured the county, taking in a visit to the Chronicle in Deeside to discuss regional matters, and Shotton Steelworks, where he met bosses and trade union off icials.

But an unfortunate power cut on Friday almost curtailed his visit to the Netcafe in Shotton.

He was accompanied to the college-run facility by Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami and Assembly Member Carl Sargeant and spoke to people on a computerskills course.

Mr Tami said: 'The timing of our arrival fortunately coincided with the restoration of power to the town.

Deeside College principal Wil Edmunds OBE added: 'The Net-cafe has proved to be a successful inlet for people who want to get back into education.'

The college runs the caf&#xE9; as a business and a learning centre and is pleased by the response of local people since it opened.

Mr Edmunds added: 'Many people who want to return to school or college don't simply because they don't like the classroom environment.

'They have embraced the Net-cafe as a way to learn in a comfortable, more friendly place. We have lots of satisf ied customers.'

Mr Hain was impressed by the facility, and said: 'The way this has helped so many people return to the learning curve is amazing.

'It's incredibly effective and will hopefully go from strength to strength and inspire other colleges to try it in their areas.'